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Editorials

Data focused on young drivers can save lives

This weekend’s editorial is about potential harm and actual harm, from a couple of different vantage points. For example, widespread uneasiness at this time continues to focus on vaping. Questions and concerns about it have been on the minds of people young and not-so-young for about as long as vaping has existed, but numerous uncertainties about it still abound. Reflect on how attitudes about traditional cigarettes have changed since a U.S. surgeon general’s report about the dangers cigarette smoking poses was released 60 years ago. Now, some public health experts have ...

Here’s hoping Gables can be restored

Altoona natives, about to arrive in the downtown after a long absence, usually cannot help harboring certain expectations about what they will see, even if they haven’t kept in touch with their roots for years or even decades. Most returnees, while reflecting on their Altoona past as they anticipate the downtown of today, recall the sights associated with the city’s long railroad history, images of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, the Mishler Theatre, Penn Alto Hotel and, perhaps, the towers for the elderly and handicapped. Of course, they might also harbor in their minds ...

Holiday spending data represents a positive sign

As the end of January approaches, the holiday shopping frenzy and the spending that accompanied it increasingly take the proverbial back seat to things more current — that is, of course, except for lingering holiday-related credit card debt. Now the attention is shifting in a big way to Valentine’s Day and, for many couples, the anticipation of becoming engaged. Just like those Christmas gifts that made that holiday special and bolstered the economy in the process, engagement ring purchases at this time of the year provide an economic shot-in-the-arm having a positive impact long ...

Convention Center report encouraging

Based on the Blair County Convention Center’s latest financial report, the facility is poised for an optimistic future, assuming that nothing horrific like the COVID-19 pandemic derails it. For the benefit of newcomers to the county, as well as others who might have lost track of the center amid all of the pandemic news in much of 2020, the center’s closure that year thrust it into a tailspin. Financial disaster was able to be averted because of skilled management, the center board of directors’ insight and competence plus some wise decisions preceding the health ...

Credit due to those who aid homeless

Blair County has experienced numerous worse winters than the one currently upon us — much worse. However, what is most important now is not statistics comparing this winter with ones from the near or distant past; it is whether resources in Altoona and Blair County beyond are prepared to address needs stemming from the current challenging conditions. Another important consideration and concern must be whether the flexibility exists to respond properly to quickly changing needs, and whether the manpower is in place — available — to step forward at virtually a moment’s notice ...

Early education vital to building academic base

One thing even today’s senior citizens still can recall from their early days in a school classroom was their teacher telling them to put on their “thinking caps.” They might chuckle about that recollection now, but those two words made an impression that they still might pass on to their grandchildren when the opportunity is appropriate. But let’s deviate from those recipients of that message and apply the message elsewhere — to teachers, principals and other school leaders and officials. There is a good reason for that recommendation — the reason being that ...